The Government is to go ahead with its plan to introduce
plain packaging for tobacco products.
Associate Minister of Health Tariana Turia said the
Government would push ahead with its plans despite the threat
of a similar legal challenge as one Australia has faced since
introducing unbranded, standardised cigarette packets with
large health warnings.
"We know we've got trade obligations. But we are confident
plain packaging can be introduced with those.''
Mrs Turia said the Health Ministry would begin policy work
around the plans immediately.
Regulations to implement plain packaging would occur once
World Trade Organisation legal challenges were concluded.
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